Summer is in full swing, and for many of us, staying indoors is the best way to escape the heat. But if you’re working through the summer, you might find that this season is surprisingly busy, especially when it comes to managing federal programs with schools out of session. Here are some essential tasks to … Read more
It’s hard to believe another school year has come and gone. As we approach the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, it’s crucial to wrap up existing federal programs and lay the groundwork for the upcoming year. Here are some key steps that help me close out the current year and prepare for the next. … Read more
As we approach the end of the school year in May, the workload tends to skyrocket for federal program directors. The tasks that need to be wrapped up during this busy period are not just routine, but they are crucial for the smooth functioning of our district. Here’s a rundown of key responsibilities that need … Read more
As we approach the planning phase for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, we must ensure that every step we take is intentional, collaborative, and data-driven. At the heart of our planning process lies the goal of providing the best possible educational experience for our students while maximizing the impact of federal funds received by our … Read more
The National ESEA Conference took place in February in Portland, OR. If you didn’t get a chance to attend, I highly recommend attending the 2025 conference in Houston next year. There is always something one can learn. One of the more helpful things I learned applied to the Title III funding and the supplement not … Read more
It’s that time of year for districts to begin the comprehensive needs assessment, starting with stakeholder surveys. These surveys are often provided to parents, teachers, and students. In addition to the surveys, an excellent comprehensive needs assessment includes data that enables an efficient review of the current year and prior years’ successes and challenges. … Read more
It is hard to believe it is already 2024, and the school year is halfway over! I hope everyone had a safe, relaxing, and joyous holiday break and you could return to work refreshed and renewed. So, what’s next for us in 2024? To name just a few upcoming requirements, we can anticipate the FY24 … Read more
It’s hard to believe 2023 is almost over, and half of the school year is gone. As the calendar year wraps up, what is happening in federal programs? For many of us, December has been filled with working with schools to finalize their schoolwide plans, completing the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR) surveys, and requesting … Read more
It is already November! The year is going quickly. In Mississippi, due to several circumstances, districts did not complete our schoolwide plans for FY23 until the spring of 2023. The State Department is trying to get back on schedule and has released the FY24 schoolwide plans for completion. The schoolwide plan (SWP) is the tool … Read more
It’s that time of year to begin thinking about that federal program requirement of school comparability. So, what is comparability in the federal program world? The comparability requirement is intended to ensure that school districts spend as much, if not more, state and local resources on Title 1 funded schools as they do with non-Title … Read more
Many school districts are already back in full swing of the new school year, while others are getting ready to kick off. Whatever your district’s start time, it is a busy and exciting time. As Federal Programs Director, I don’t want to overwhelm my principals with too much paperwork; however, I know there are required … Read more
It’s July, and I imagine people have asked you, “How are you enjoying your summer?” There appears to be the assumption that federal programs take a summer break like students take a summer break. Not so! Right? For many of us, summer is when we can get things done. So amidst the various conferences and … Read more